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Pediatric Brain Tumor Management

Pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors are complicated. However, close collaboration among our neurosurgeons and neuro-oncologists can make complex cases more manageable to treat — and can lead to more successful outcomes.

Each year, our internationally renowned specialists treat as many as a dozen different types of pediatric brain tumors that range from benign (non-cancerous) to aggressive forms of cancer. Unlike adult tumors, pediatric tumors can vary greatly and pose unique age-related management issues. That’s where our pediatric expertise and years of experience become invaluable in detecting, diagnosing, and treating children with even the most complex pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors.

As part of the Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, our team meets regularly with specialists in other areas, including pediatric neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, hematology/oncology, and pediatric neuroimaging.

Patients may be eligible for treatment through one of the many innovative clinical trials offered through the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program. Our program is a long-time member of the Children’s Oncology Group, and our research program is part of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, a select group of eight pediatric hospitals that is committed to identifying and evaluating novel treatments and furthering the progress of pediatric neuro-oncology care.

The Brain Tumor Management program offers:

A leading research program funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Cancer Institute.

Access to the newest treatment strategies and most promising drugs available at only a select number of pediatric centers around the country.

A comprehensive neuro-oncology tumor board comprising specialists who discuss each patient’s case, consider all treatment options, and develop a treatment plan that is then explained to parents so they can make an informed decision on their child’s care.

A collaborative working and information-sharing relationship with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, the region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.